The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation. More
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2
You’ve participated in Next Steps programming, accepted your letter of offer, registered for course and have gotten the hang of video conferencing software like Webex. Now it’s time to complete UM Essentials!
UM Essentials, along with other orientation activities, like Math Bootcamp and Prep Week, is intended to help you prepare for your studies at the University of Manitoba.
We don't expect you to figure everything out in your first few days. Explore these resources to help you all year long -- with academics, your career options, campus life, recreation, and more.
Attend these orientation events and start your university year with confidence.
Enrol in this popular 3 credit hour course to help you transition to your new learning environment. You will learn the principles of learning and memory, critical thinking, and academic writing, all of which are essential to success at university.
Many faculties have their own welcome events for new students. If you are joining a faculty that hosts a separate event, you will receive an email with the details before the school term starts. Please contact your faculty directly if you have questions.
Many other groups host orientation events for students. We invite you to attend as many of these events as you find helpful.
Welcome Volunteers are volunteers who work with staff and Orientation Team Leaders to assist in introducing new students to campus during in-person orientation events.
As an in-person Welcome Volunteer, you will…
Volunteering for 10+ hours over the span of the in-person orientation events will mean that you will receive CCR recognition for this role.
There are several events that we are recruiting volunteers for. We have a general sign-up form to indicate that you are interested in receiving emails prior to each event with event specific information regarding the specific roles and times.
Additionally we will be updating this page with an event specific sign-up prior to each event.
Please be aware that in order to volunteer at any event you must attend the associated training date.
| Title | Event Training | Event Date |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome to the Herd | June 15 | June 18 |
| Ready to Roam 1 | July 18 | July 20 |
| Ready to Roam 2 | August 10 | August 13 |
| Welcome Day | September 2 | September 6 |
You are eligible to apply to be an in-person Welcome Leader if you...
General Interest Sign-up: By filling out the general interest form you are not confirming you will be volunteering at any particular event, but are adding yourself to a mailing list so you receive more information about each event including the shift times and roles.
Event Specific Application: If you want to sign up to volunteer at a specific event, please make sure you are eligible for the position and available for the training / event date.
Online Welcome Leaders are volunteers who work with staff and the Orientation Team Leaders to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for new students throughout online orientation programming.
Applications for the 2022 OWL position are now closed. Thank you to all those who applied.
As an Online Welcome Leader, you will…
Skill Development Focus:
Additional Benefits:
Training
Role
To be eligible to volunteer with orientation, students must be:
Applications are now closed.
Complete the online application form to be considered for the role. Following your application and confirmation of eligibility requirements, you will be invited to participate in a group interview (held in early May).
*NEW* Extended deadline to apply: May 3rd, 2022, at 11:59 PM
Orientation Team Leaders are volunteers who work with the staff to recruit, engage, and support Online Welcome Leaders prior to and throughout orientation and are integral to the coordination and smooth operation of orientation programming on campus.
Being an OTL is an intensive volunteer experience (approximately a 100-hour commitment) where students can expect to develop valuable skills in communication, team work, and leadership.
Applications for the 2022 OTL Position are now closed.Are you interested in applying to be an OTL in the future? Check out the requirements below so you know what to expect next year! Applications will re-open early 2023.
As an Orientation Team Leader, you will be…
Typical Team Size: up to 10
Skill Development Focus
Additional Benefits:
Required Time Commitment (March – October 2022)
Total time commitment: ~100+ hours
Specific dates / activities
|
Online training/module completion
|
Approx. 6 hrs, |
|
Weekly OTL team meetings |
March - May; max 2 hours (anticipated 6-8pm)
June – October; max 3 hours (anticipated 6-9pm)
|
| Recruitment / outreach efforts (virtual or in-person TBD) |
Scheduled based on availability |
| Online Welcome Leader Interviews (held virtually) |
May 9 - May 20 (scheduled based on availability) |
| Initial Online Welcome Leader training (held virtually) |
(F) May 27, 6-8pm |
| Interviews for In-Person Volunteers* (Held in-person - see note below) |
TBD /summer; scheduled based on availability |
| Planning & attending volunteer skill-building meetings (virtual or in-person TBD) |
(R) June 30, 6-8pm |
| Planning & attending event-specific training |
(M) August 22, 6-8pm (event confirmed; virtual or in-person TBD) (W) August 24, 6-8pm* (event TBD; held in-person - see note below) |
| Supervising Online Welcome Leaders UMEssentials Teams (virtual) |
1hr per week outside of meetings |
|
Individual/small-group work |
2-4hrs per month outside of meetings |
| Event Days |
Prep Week: Monday, August 29 – Friday, September 2, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Welcome Day: Tuesday, September 6, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Volunteer Wrap-up (virtual or in-person TBD) |
(F) October 7, 6-8pm |
| Program evaluation survey (virtual) |
Approx. 1 hour, completed on own time |
*If Prep Week and/or Welcome Day events are determined to be in-person, recruitment of in-person volunteers will occur later in the summer, and an in-person training session will be held on Wednesday, August 24
Eligibility to become an Orientation Team Leader:
Applications for the 2022 OTL position are now closed.
Application Process
For this application you will be asked to submit a 1-2 page cover letter (see below for what to include) in PDF format, with a copy of your winter term schedule.
Skills & experience applicants should address
In your 1–2-page cover letter introducing yourself, please be sure to include the following:
*For general guidelines about writing cover letters, please see the Cover Letter Handbook from Career Services*
For questions about volunteering with orientation, contact
Student Life Office
225 UMSU University Centre
Phone: 204-474-9093
Email: orientation.volunteers@umanitoba.ca
Don't want to miss an opportunity to get involved? Ask to be added to our mailing list by contacting studentlife@umanitoba.ca!
